The dominant trainer-jockey duo of Chris Waller and James McDonald extended their remarkable Sydney autumn carnival Group 1 victory run by taking out an exciting $1 million ATC Australian Oaks (2400m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday with Ohope Wins.
Waller and McDonald have partnered for at least one Group 1 triumph across a record seven straight Saturdays, dating back to Autumn Glow’s win in the Verry Elleegant Stakes on February 28.
This has been an extraordinary stretch of consistent brilliance from Sydney’s top trainer and rider, and they are set to team up again with Fangirl in the All Aged Stakes and Campione D’Italia in the Champagne Stakes on the carnival’s closing day next Saturday.
A fresh addition to Waller’s stable, Ohope Wins joined an elite group as only the fourth filly to achieve the New Zealand Oaks-ATC Australian Oaks double, following Pennyweka (2023), Bonneval (2017) and Domino (1990).
Waller attributed much of the Oaks success with Ohope Wins to her previous handler Lance O’Sullivan.
“Obviously I’ve been gifted this lovely filly by Yulong and Lance O’Sullivan did a great job with her prior to coming to me,” Waller said.
“Plus they gave me a hand with her as well, they were very friendly and very helpful which we’ve got to thank them for.
“It wasn’t hard to have her ready for this race because you know the horse is good enough, it was just about keeping it simple.
“I think she needed the run (4th in the Vinery Stud Stakes) and speaking with Lance, the confidence he had in her, he said she’s one of the best horses that he’s ever had anything to deal with so it’s a pretty big comment coming from him.”
The $2.60 favourite Ohope Wins fulfilled expectations with a strong finish, overhauling a determined Profoundly ($3.20) by a long neck, while After Summer ($9.50) was a half head further back in third.
McDonald noted that the brisk pace in the Oaks played right into Ohope Wins’s strengths.
“I always had a plan to ride her quietly,” McDonald said.”I was blessed when the pace went on and it never stopped so it was going to be the toughest stayer and that’s exactly what she was.
“She’s a very gritty filly. She had enough on the line, the other two were brave (Profoundly 2nd, After Summer 3rd) and it was lucky we were on a good horse.”
Ohope Wins delivered Waller his fifth ATC Australian Oaks victory, though he typically doesn’t target rising four-year-old mares for the Caulfield Cup-Melbourne Cup double.
Verry Elleegant took the 2019 ATC Australian Oaks yet skipped both Cups that spring as a four-year-old.
However, Verry Elleegant came back at five to capture the Caulfield Cup and then the Melbourne Cup a year later as a six-year-old mare.
Waller indicated Ohope Wins will now head for a spell, with spring targets still under consideration for the stayer.
Profoundly, under Michael Freedman’s care, appeared set to prevail after hitting the front over the rise, but Ohope Wins closed rapidly and seemed headed for an easy win before having to dig deep for the long-neck verdict.
After Summer further showcased her growing staying ability with back-to-back Group 1 placings, following her runner-up finish to Belle Cheval in the Vinery Stud Stakes with a strong third in the Oaks.
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